A new report suggests that if the Boston Red Sox trade for Ketel Marte, they could have another Rafael Devers on their hands.
Like every offseason, there are a lot of rumors swirling about potential moves the Red Sox could make in the weeks and months ahead. With the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings underway, there have been various reports linking the club to sluggers Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber. But there is another power hitter reportedly on their radar: Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte.
The infielder is drawing a lot of interest for obvious reasons. He is right in his prime at 32 years old. He is, arguably, the best-hitting second baseman in the league. And he is locked into a contract, possibly, through 2031 at a reasonable rate compared to the skyrocketing cost for star players these days. Plus, he makes sense for Boston as a potential replacement for Alex Bregman in the field and batting order.
However, a new report from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal offers reason for the Red Sox to think long and hard about a potential trade. According to the MLB insider, locker room problems with Marte arose in 2025. After his Arizona home was burglarized during the All-Star break, he chose to miss the first three games of the second half while hanging out at his other house in the Dominican Republic.
Ketel Marte stats: .283 AVG, .376 OBP, .517 SLG, .893 OPS, 28 HR, 72 RBI, 87 R
Rosenthal also claims his Diamondbacks teammates grew frustrated with Marte over a reputation “for taking too many games off in general.” The insider admits that because of the character rumors about him after this past season, any team interested in acquiring him would need to seriously evaluate the clubhouse fit, as well as the acquisition cost.
What would be the cost to get the three-time All-Star? Rosenthal reports that the Diamondbacks are looking for a “superstar-type return” in any deal for the former Seattle Mariners prospect they developed into an elite infielder.
Early in the 2025 season, the Boston Red Sox made the bold decision to trade away top star Rafael Devers. The move was done to rid themselves of a player who was turning into a malcontent. Despite losing an All-Star bat, the club was better for it and went on an improbable run to earn a Wild Card spot this year.
After making so much camaraderie progress in the locker room this year, the team must be very careful about adding a new player who is known to frustrate teammates.
